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Constant suffering and embarrassment leading to anxiety and depression.

Posted , 5 users are following.

emalexem
emalexem

I'm hoping someone can either give me advice or just soothe my mind a little. I'm 21 and I've been suffering with "IBS" since I was 13. 

At first it would only be occasionally and generally started because of something that I had eaten, but since I've been roughly 18, it started to get a lot worse. 

I know it can be triggered by stressful circumstances and I'm aware that that's what sets mine off, but in the past year/18 months, I'm constantly ill.

I suffer from chronic diarrhoea and go to the toilet up to 20 times a day. 

I've seen so many doctors and had every test done but not even a food intolerance comes up. 

It's gotten to the point recently where I cannot actually make it to the bathroom anymore and much to my embarrassment, my partner suggested I invest in some adult nappies (he wasn't being mean, he's genuinely concerned but it made me so upset)

At the age of 21, I shouldn't be so dibilitated, but IBS literally makes my life a living hell. I'm exhausted all the time, my skin and hair feel awful and despite the fact  that I cannot retain my food, I'm gaining weight. 

I'm so fed up of the way I feel and I feel I need reassurance to know I'm not alone in this and that it's actually real, because a large portion of my family and friends believe I make myself ill from panicking and that I can just turn it off in my head. 

If anyone, anyone at all has any advice on how to calm it or any foods to try to help, I'm all ears. 

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Moosecop12
    Moosecop12 emalexem

    Posted

    You're not alone dude I feel your pain I'm in the same boat I've only had it for about 3 years but having it older with no way of being prepared or my choice of work now being affected it sucks I go 10-15x a day I don't sleep my family thinks it's a joke and my job doesn't care even though I got it bc of them you're not alone I can safely tell you that.

    • emalexem
      emalexem Moosecop12

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply ?

      I'm so sorry you have to suffer through this too. 

      My sleep has deteriated dramatically recently, i'm constantly exhausted and everyone just thinks I'm lazy. 

      My family and work think it's a myth and that I make it up to get out of things, but I would give anything to not feel like this. 

      For sleeping, I'd recommended a "V" pillow - I think they're quite common to use during pregnancies and stuff, (not that I've been pregnant) but I kind of hug mine and it props me up slightly to soothe me whilst I sleep sometimes. 

      It really makes you rethink everything and I've stopped myself doing so many great things because I'm scared I'll have an accident or that I'll ruin everyone else's time. 

  • sam18386
    sam18386 emalexem

    Posted

    Get in to your doctors and ask for as many tests as you can! You could have anything wrong you need a diagnosis. Now! 
    • emalexem
      emalexem sam18386

      Posted

      I'm in the process at the moment. I've been back and fourth so for many years and they always seem to pass it off. 

      I've been sent to so many places and they blame it on being overweight, on stress, on my work life. But it's been so long, and I can't stress to them enough how much pain I'm in 24/7. 

      I'm nagging them constantly because I don't think it's just IBS. 

      Thank you for your reply ?

  • Moosecop12
    Moosecop12 emalexem

    Posted

    Yea I say the same thing and I'm sure it's not I've been told it's not gonna get any better I have chronic duodenitis chronic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia 

    • emalexem
      emalexem Moosecop12

      Posted

      Yeah I've been told to face that it probably won't improve or that "it will improve if my mentality changes" which isn't true at all, I used to be so happy and calm but it's like it changed overnight and now I'm anxious, depressed and I hate going outside. 

  • leeniepie
    leeniepie emalexem

    Posted

    You really have to go to a different dr. Did you have investigations for crohns?

    Are you taking Imodium?

    • emalexem
      emalexem leeniepie

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply. ?

      I have been to 3 doctors and a private specialist, I've had a pelvic exam and a colonoscopy but the colonoscopy didn't work because my bowels didn't clear properly so they couldn't see anything 😔

      I take so many Imodium, if I'm going somewhere, to avoid intense, constant pains I take 4, and that's just as a precaution. I've been taking them since I was 13 😔

    • leeniepie
      leeniepie emalexem

      Posted

      Sounds like you need another colonoscopy. That much diarrhoea points towards ibs. Also ask for a fecal calprotectin test to check for inflammation. If it's raised then it's not IBS.

    • emalexem
      emalexem leeniepie

      Posted

      I had a blood test last week and my inflammation came back higher, so I have to have another blood test in another weeks time to check it again. It sounds so awful, but I just want them to find something so I have a reason and see some kind of light at the end of the tunnel. 
    • sam18386
      sam18386 emalexem

      Posted

      Good for you push the truth you're the patient don't be messed around! 

    • leeniepie
      leeniepie emalexem

      Posted

      calprotectin is a stool test. IBD wont show in blood tests, but high stool levels are a sign of IBD.

      I know what you mean. I was so ill last year that I was hoping for anything, even if it meant surgery.

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 emalexem

    Posted

    Try a food diary or the Low Fodmap diet to identify food triggers. Imodium and codeine  will help the diarrhoea?  It has worked for me.  Anxiety about your symptoms will make your symptoms worse.  Try distraction techniques like a hobby such as listening to music.

    Have you asked about a SECHAT scan to look for Bile acid malabsorption which causes chronic diarrhoea?  If you have it, it can be treated.

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